Sonal Dinusha and Kusal Mendis put on 143 runs for the sixth wicket to help Sri Lanka extend their advantage in the second Test in Antigua against West Indies. The partnership helped the visitors declare at 549/9 before they got rid of the opposition’s opener Brandon King.
After striking twice in the space of five balls just before Stumps on the opening day, despite being under pressure for a major period, West Indies would have hoped to make more inroads especially with the new ball being just three overs old. An early wicket at the start of play would have given West Indies a great opportunity to break into the Sri Lankan lower order. However, Dinusha made his intentions clear right at the start by smashing the third ball of the day for a boundary. Kusal got going as well at the other end with a neat boundary down the ground off Alzarri Joseph before picking on the same bowler for two more boundaries.
Dinusha then welcomed Shamar Joseph into the attack with another boundary but it was Kusal who caused early damage as he hammered the same bowler for a six and a four to firmly put Sri Lanka in control once again. West Indies were also let down on the field when John Campbell dropped a regulation chance that would have seen Kusal depart for 23.
The two batters then played out a testing period of play with caution until Lunch before going on the offensive again in the second session. A flurry of boundaries from both batters stunned West Indies as they brought up their respective half-centuries. Kusal, who reached his landmark with a big one, picked on Roston Chase for another six. Against the run of play, West Indies finally struck after the drinks break when Kusal got a bottom edge that hit the stumps.
Milan Rathnayake showed enough resistance after Kusal’s departure as Sri Lanka crawled past 500. But Dinusha, who hit back-to-back boundaries to enter the 90s, missed out on a ton after getting a leading edge. Post the Tea break, Sri Lanka batted close to 7 overs to add some vital runs before finally declaring close to 550. The visitors had 24 overs at the home side before stumps to make an impact and truly take control of the Test match.
Asitha Fernando drew first blood when he got King to edge a delivery to second slip but West Indies stood firm post the dismissal. Campbell was solid at one end and Kavem Hodge endured a tough time, surviving two dropped chances to remain unbeaten on 6 from 41. West Indies will need a lot more of this dogged resistance on the crucial third day to stay alive in the contest.
Brief Scores: West Indies 58/1 (John Campbell 31*; Asitha Fernando 1-11) trail Sri Lanka 549/9 decl. (Lahiru Udara 188, Sonal Dinusha 92, Kamindu Mendis 84, Kusal Mendis 69) by 491 runs